Samut Prakan prison warden moved after the death of a drug inmate

The warden of Samut Prakan Central Prison and four other prison officers were transferred to inactive positions at the Department of Corrections after a drug convict died suspiciously.

Department’s director-general Pol Col Narat Sawettanan ordered immediate transfer of the warden Krit Wongvej and four other officers after a wife of the drug inmate suspected that her husband was tortured before he died on April 18.

Pol Col Narat also appointed a fact finding team and disciplinary investigation against involved officers.

The mysterious death of the drug convict went viral on the internet when his wife, Wanicha Ouyub, posted on her Facebook about the death of her husband.

She said a prison official notified her on April 18 that her husband had died but didn’t give details and the cause of his death.

She went to Bang Bo hospital to claim his body and found bruises all over the back of the body, the ears, and left hand.

There were also traces of binding around both wrists.

A prison official who brought her husband to the hospital told her that the man was among 18 inmates who were punished.

Ms Wanicha said initial autopsy result by the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police General Hospital showed he died from choking and from wounds.

Samut Prakan Central Prison warden Krit Wongvej

Mr Krit, the Samut Prakan Central Prison warden, told reporters that the inmate was disciplined after he allegedly confessed to possess “ketamine” drug.

Mr Krit, however, insisted that was no physical assault.

According to Mr Krit, prison wardens had found a letter addressed to a person in the prison on April 17.

The wardens opened the envelope after the name of the receiver was anonymous and found “ketamine” drug inside.

They left the letter in the place and kept watch. But it disappeared when prison officers left it unguarded.

The disappearance prompted a thorough check of all the inmates’ rooms and questionings.

Some inmates told officers that they saw the drug convict took the envelope. The man later questioned and he allegedly admitted to take the envelope.

The inmate was then disciplined by prison officers under the prison rules but no severe punishment was made, Mr Krit said.

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"We are totally disappointed with today’s conviction. This conviction shows that we are in a bad condition, despite the appearance that the country is heading for a functioning democratic system, freedom of expression and rule of law"